How Much of a Compromise Are the In-Cabinets?

How Much of a Compromise Are the In-Cabinets? - 01/28/1310:11 PM

I'm laying out the floor plan of my new home theater. The room isn't all that large, 11' x 23', so I'm trying to maximize the space, and realize there will be compromises.

I plan on building an infinite baffle subwoofer behind an acoustically transparent screen. The center channel is pretty much going to have to be behind that screen too, so I figure that'll be an in-cabinet M80. It'll be mounted in the wall that is functioning as the baffle for the sub.

If I decrease the width of the screen, the left and right speakers could be placed in front, but I'd really like for the screen to be as wide as possible. So if it wouldn't hurt things too much, the L&R would also be in-cabinet M80s, and be behind the screen with the center.

What do you all think? I know there are not that many in-cabinet owners here, but am hoping for a little bouncing around of thoughts.

Re: How Much of a Compromise Are the In-Cabinets? - 01/28/1310:21 PM

Edit: I just reread your post and either I errored in you saying Vp160 for center, or you changed it.

Given your description, I'd go with 3 identical in-cabinet m80's. I was/am planning on a similar setup, but will probably go with 3 identical m60's because of the smallness of the room. Can do around 110 inch screen, but wouldn't leave room for speakers, except for the AT screen.

I have the in-cabinet vp160 mounted under my TV. it plays deeper than the M22's I have, but I can't vouch for how it sounds compared to a regular one.

Re: How Much of a Compromise Are the In-Cabinets? - 01/28/1310:25 PM

Chris, I don't have anything directly on the "compromise" question, but I'm wondering about this added complexity. 23' deep isn't all that small either, and it would seem that room would be adequate for three regular M80s behind the screen and a sub of your choice positioned for best effect.

Re: How Much of a Compromise Are the In-Cabinets? - 01/28/1310:40 PM

John, that's another option I've considered. I really like the idea of the infinite baffle sub. I think I can build an array of eight, 15" drivers with amps for about $2500. That's more boom for the bang than just about any other configuration.

So with that, I'm already giving up 3 feet of the room's depth for the IB's manifold. That's perfect for installing in-cabinet speakers.

But yeah, I could get a couple big subs and place them in the room, and have real M80s behind the screen. That's definitely the way I'll go if the IB doesn't work out.

Re: How Much of a Compromise Are the In-Cabinets? - 01/28/1310:44 PM

Oh, and thanks Cat, I think it was you who originally pointed out the Screen Excellence maker. I had been looking at Stewart, but find SE's offerings superior, for everything but passive 3D (which I don't want anyway).

Re: How Much of a Compromise Are the In-Cabinets? - 01/29/1304:08 AM

Re: How Much of a Compromise Are the In-Cabinets? - 01/29/1307:16 PM

Chris, what is the room going to be used for?? 80%+ HT/movies ect? if your not going to be doing much critical music listening, or Stereo listening.. then i would say the incabnets would be a non issue... i could only see them "being an issue" if you were wanting to use the room for ht+ stereo listening... other than that, i say rock out the incabnets and don't sweat it..

Re: How Much of a Compromise Are the In-Cabinets? - 01/29/1309:40 PM

That was a pretty good guess, I'd say 80% for movies/television. I did have the same thought about keeping the mains as regular speakers so I could use it as a music listening room. But realistically most of the time I listen to music it's in my project studio, which will no longer be play dual roles as a bedroom. I also plan on eventually building a library/listening room.